Crisis Is Not a Permanent State

What if the reason your technology isn't selling has nothing to do with the technology itself — and everything to do with the story you're telling about it? Steve Stratton learned that lesson the hard way. A former White House communicator, Secret Service agent, and Special Forces Green Beret who spent over 30 years in cybersecurity, Steve watched customers reach for their phones during important presentations that should have had their full attention. That moment changed everything. Today, as the Tech Story Strategist, Steve provides profit-minded tech companies with a story-driven approach to selling their product — helping teams in defense, intelligence, and cybersecurity markets turn complex technology into stories that create sales. Because in his world, the best technology doesn't always win. The technology with the most memorable story does. Steve is also a BrandFace client, and you’ll hear about the branding journey that's helping his mission reach the companies that need it most.   Episode Highlights: 04:55 Green Beret Mindset 07:04 White House Breakthrough 12:04 When Presentations Fail 15:47 Novelist Meets Tech Sales 19:07 Story Selling In Action 22:13 Why Stories Beat Specs 25:54 Thrillers And Story Craft 39:12 How to Connect with Steve Stratton Show Links:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ststratton

Some lessons stay with you for life. For Buck Seward, it started at thirteen years old on a construction crew, where carpenters, electricians, and plumbers taught him that when you show up, do the right work, and surround yourself with good people — even the toughest jobs become something worth building. That lesson carried him through The Citadel on a football scholarship, a JD from Emory Law School, and a $30M humanitarian relief operation spanning four countries across the Balkans. Today, Buck channels three decades of global leadership experience into partnering with mid-market manufacturing leaders to take their organizations from crisis to confidence in 90 days — and building transformations that last long after he's gone. Buck is also a BrandFace client, and you’ll hear about the branding journey that's helping his mission reach the leaders who need it most.   Episode Highlights: 03:31 Construction Crew Lessons 06:43 Citadel And Law 15:29 Mid Market Turnarounds 18:36 Crisis Signals 24:08 Cross Functional Teams 25:32 Next Decade Vision 26:07 AI With Expert Guardrails 27:52 Operating To Win Workshops 29:51 Supply Chain Reality Check 52:26 How To Connect With Buck Seward Show Links:  (19) R Daniel "BUCK" Seward, JD, SHRM-SCP | LinkedIn  Lumitra Advisors | From Crisis to Confidence in 90 Days 

The most decisive battles leaders face are never fought in boardrooms. They happen in the quiet, unseen space where an unchecked inner critic can silently sabotage even the most capable leader. Morice "Coach Mo" Mabry has built his life's work around that truth. A coach, author, and podcast host who brings an athletic mindset to executive coaching unlike anything traditional, Coach Mo is on a mission to prove that every leader needs a locker room. As the creator of the Inner Arena™, he partners with government and higher education organizations to develop leaders who lead with composure, confidence, and conviction — from the inside out. Coach Mo is also a BrandFace client, and you’ll hear about the branding journey that's helping him focus his efforts into a powerful movement.  Episode Highlights: 04:48 Sports to Leadership 09:10 Coaching Found Him 10:35 Launching DOJ Coaching 16:35 Inner Arena Explained 21:42 Book and Podcast 25:52 ICF Leadership Role 33:10 Brand Blueprint Wins 39:57 How to Connect with Morice Mabry Show Links:  MoriceMabry.com

Your brand is the most important tool in your toolbox — so why do so many coaches, consultants, and experts get the building process so wrong? The truth is, it's not entirely their fault. In this episode, Tonya and Michael break down the two most common brand building mistakes that are quietly costing experts like you time, money, and the right prospects. The good news? Once you know what they are, both are completely fixable. And if you've ever wondered why your marketing isn't producing the results you know it should — this episode is your answer. Show Links:  brandfaceguide.com

Did you know that 98% of people will meet your brand before they ever meet you? That means your social media, your website, your videos, and your marketing materials are making a first impression long before you ever get the chance to. So the question is — is what they're seeing actually representing you the way you deserve? In this episode, Tonya and Michael break down the critical role your brand plays in attracting the right prospects, commanding the right price, and setting you apart from every competitor in your space. They walk you through their proven three-part Define, Develop, and Display formula — the same system that has helped thousands of coaches, consultants, and experts build brands they're proud for the world to see. Because when 98% of people meet your brand first, you don't get a second chance at that first impression. Show Links:  brandfaceguide.com

Your brand has one job above all others — to turn your purpose into profit. But for most coaches, consultants, and experts, that's exactly where things break down. In this episode, Tonya and Michael walk you through four powerful questions designed to help you determine whether your brand is truly working for you — or quietly working against you. From whether you're charging what you're really worth, to whether you're accidentally attracting the wrong prospects entirely, these questions shine a light on the gaps most business owners never even know exist. If your pipeline feels unprofitable, misaligned, or full of the wrong people, the answer isn't more marketing. It starts right here, with the one goal your brand should always be achieving.   00:00 What Makes a Brand 00:44 Four Profit Questions 01:10 My Poor Brand Story 02:01 Charge What Youre Worth 03:12 Targeting vs Attracting 03:39 Attracting Wrong Prospects 04:49 Brand That Helps You Say No 05:51 Next Week Perfect Prospect 06:36 Free Guide and Wrap Up 07:05 Final Call to Action   Show Links: www.brandfacestar.com

A year ago, Kevin Smith joined us to share how a stranger returning his lost wallet on Good Friday sparked a movement that would connect communities worldwide through the simple but powerful act of kindness. That episode resonated deeply with our audience — and we knew we had to bring him back. In this conversation, we catch up with Kevin to find out what has transpired since we last spoke. How has Kindness Worldwide grown? What unexpected doors has the mission opened? And what has Kevin learned about the ripple effect of compassion over the past year? If you believed in this mission then, you'll be inspired by where it is today. Episode Highlights: 04:29 Award Winning Documentary 08:18 Growth And Tipping Point 09:23 Kindness Week Framework 10:28 ROK Platform Launch 12:06 Defining Kindness Deeper 21:04 Building The Nonprofit 26:00 Empathy Erosion And Hope 31:30 How to Connect with Kevin Smith Show Links:  KindnessWorldwide.org rokindness.org

Before your brand can shine for the world, it has to start within. In this episode, Tonya and Michael reveal the three things that need to happen before you present yourself the way you truly want the world to see you. From the stories you tell yourself — including the ones that aren't true — to the unique path that sets you apart from everyone else in your space, this conversation goes deeper than logos, taglines, and social media posts. Because when your inner brand is built on conviction, no one can shake the confidence that comes with it. Your story matters more than you know. This is where it all begins.   Episode Highlights: 00:00 Inner Brand Intro 00:57 Mindset Before Branding 01:16 Why Self Beliefs Limit 02:29 Three Steps Overview 02:39 Tell Your Story 03:16 Story Example Breakthrough 05:10 Ignore Others Stories 06:11 Carving Your Own Path 08:16 No Competition With Story 09:00 Live With Conviction 10:26 Recap And Closing 11:18 Free Guide Call To Action   SHOW LINKS: www.brandfacestar.com 

You've been posting on social media, attending networking events, and investing in marketing — so why aren't the right prospects showing up? If this sounds familiar, here's what nobody has told you: the problem isn't your marketing. It's what's underneath it. In this episode, Tonya and Michael pull back the curtain on one of the most common and costly mistakes experts, coaches, and consultants make — spending money to promote a brand that was never truly built in the first place. From the difference between building a brand and promoting one, to why a logo, photo, and tagline barely scratch the surface, this episode gives you three critical questions to ask yourself before you spend another dollar on marketing. Because when the foundation is broken, everything built on top of it will be too. And the good news? It's fixable. Episode Highlights: 01:34 Michael’s Brand Journey 04:32 Branding vs Marketing 05:30 Logo Isn’t a Brand 07:25 Brand First Then Promote 10:58 Three Step Recap 11:43 How to Connect with BrandFace Show Links:  www.brandfacestar.com 

What does it take to rebuild your life when everything has been stripped away — your health, your finances, and even your memory? Aaron Chapman knows that answer better than most. His path to becoming one of the top mortgage professionals in the country ran through cattle ranches, oil fields, mining operations, and a motorcycle accident that left him with 17 broken bones, a head injury, and a negative net worth. He had to relearn how to walk, rebuild his memory, and reconstruct his business from the ground up. Today, Aaron is ranked in the top 1% of mortgage loan originators in the country — out of more than one million — advising over 100 clients a month on the acquisition and financing of cash-flow positive investment properties. His success is a testament to what faith, grit, and relentless persistence can build — even from the very bottom.   Episode Highlights: 06:57 Ranch Work Lessons 11:11 Mining and Layoffs 12:50 Rock Bottom and Diapers 15:49 Mortgage Industry Breakthrough 16:36 Mindset and Mastery 24:47 From Millions to Debt 28:39 Building Family Wealth Systems 33:20 Redneckonomics Book Origin 41:16 How to Connect with Aaron Chapman Show Links:  aaronchapman.com [email protected]